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Arizona got one step closer to making history on Saturday night. The Wildcats are heading to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. Believe it or not, no team west of Kansas has won a national championship in nearly three decades.
After being down seven points at halftime, Arizona stormed back to beat Purdue in the second half, notching a 79-64 win. If there was one person on the court in San Jose, California who understood the significance of his victory, it was Tommy Lloyd.
The Wildcats coach paid tribute to legendary head coach Lute Olson, who built the program into the successful power it is today. Olson, who coached at Arizona from 1983-2007, took the program to all four of its Final Four appearances.
“Personally, I feel good. What I’m most happy for is these Arizona fans. You guys deserve this!” Lloyd said after the win. “I know this — there’s a good looking guy with white hair looking down on us that’s happy!“
Olson led the Wildcats to a 589-187 record in 24 years. This included seven Elite Eight appearances, four Final Four appearances, two National Championship Game appearances, and a National Championship in 1997. We'll see if Lloyd can add his name into Arizona's history this season.
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The Wildcats have won 13 consecutive games heading into next week’s Final Four. However, they'll have their hands full facing the winner of No. 1 Michigan and No. 6 Tennessee. Two more wins and Arizona can snap the drought for western schools without a title.
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